Vietnam demands China cancel oil bidding in South China Sea

2012-09-03 06:41:02 GMT2012-09-03 14:41:02(Beijing Time)SINA.com

By Mei Jingya, Sina English

Vietnam has objected to a state-owned Chinese offshore oil company’s invitation for bid to an oil block in the South China Sea, saying it is in violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, Thanh Nien News reported on Saturday.

The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) started offering 26 blocks in South China Sea to foreign investors on August 28, according to a statement posted on the company's website.

Vietnam claims block 65/12, which is among the 26 blocks, is located inside Vietnam's territory. “China’s invitation for international bids at the block has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty,” Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi said at a press conference on Friday.

In June, CNOOC invited foreign companies to jointly develop nine blocks in the South China Sea. The invitation also drew protests from Vietnam.

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